Young girl gets saved on the plane by the flight attendant

For many, flying conjures images of thrilling vacations, but not for everyone. Sheila Frederick, a 49-year-old Alaska Airlines flight attendant with over 15 years of experience, faced a life-altering situation on a flight from Seattle to San Francisco.

Amidst the hustle of the flight, Sheila’s keen eyes locked onto a blonde girl in shabby clothes seated next to an older man in immaculate attire. The girl’s haunting gaze ignited a sense of urgency in Sheila. “I had a pretty odd impression of this girl. I sensed that there was a problem. The fact that the girl was so badly dressed in comparison to the man was the first indication,” Sheila recalled.

Determined to uncover the truth, Sheila approached the duo. The man responded defensively while the girl remained silent, confirming Sheila’s suspicions. Thinking quickly, Sheila devised a discreet plan, leaving a note in the plane’s restroom. When the girl used the restroom, she found the message: “I need help.”

Sheila wasted no time and alerted the authorities. Upon landing, police arrested the man and revealed a shocking truth: the 14-year-old girl was a victim of human trafficking, kidnapped two months earlier.

This harrowing incident underscores the critical importance of vigilance. Retired flight attendant Nancy Rivard, founder of Airline Ambassadors International, has pioneered training programs for flight attendants to recognize signs of human trafficking. Inspired by her experience, Sheila underwent further training to sharpen her skills in identifying such signs.

Sheila’s bravery and quick thinking not only saved a young girl’s life but also highlight the heroic potential within all of us to make a difference.